November 6, 2016

Syed Saddiq faces sedition probe for plea to Sultan

Police have begun a sedition investigation against Parti Pribumi Bersatu youth leader Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for an open letter he had written to the Sultan of Johor.

The open letter, posted on Facebook, had asked that the Sultan reconsider his ban on street demonstrations in Johor.

Syed Saddiq said political demonstrations were a “democratic weapon” and he pleaded with the Sultan to defend the people’s right to demonstrate and express themselves in the wake of major corruption scandals and abuse of power.

He had also urged the Johor ruler to view demonstrations as a right provided by the Federal Constitution and international human rights covenants.

The Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, told Bernama today that the investigation is being conducted under the Sedition Act.

He said several police reports had been lodged, and he advised the public to be careful when making comments about royalty and the royal institution.

On November 3, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had said that street demonstrations should not be allowed in Johor as they would disrupt the peace and project a negative image of Johor.